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~ a romance with art and all things British

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Monthly Archives: February 2013

Kensington Gardens and an afternoon stroll

27 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by pat in Art, England, Gardens, London, paintings, sketching

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace, parks

There is nothing quite like a stroll in a park with a couple of good friends, especially on a magically sunny day in London’s Kensington Gardens.

In to Kensington Gardens on a lovely fall day. Photo by me

In to Kensington Gardens on a lovely fall day. Photo by me

When I was there last autumn, I couldn’t resist a cup of tea in the nearby Kensington Palace tea shop, and then out in to the park.

The entrance to Kensington Palace where there is a special little tea shop. Photo by me

The entrance to Kensington Palace where there is a special little tea shop. Photo by me

There were people strolling and biking, but these three women caught my attention.  They could just as easily be me and my friends in Central Park.  There is something so universal about the scene.

 

Just outside the palace gates, friends move down the path. Photo by me

Just outside the palace gates, friends move down the path. Photo by me

So when I started to paint the scene, I wanted the trees to become almost a halo around the three figures, setting them apart from the world around them. And I cropped it so that the women were the center of our attention.

The three figures become front and center with cropping.

The three figures become front and center with cropping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I layered the golden branches, the recollection of mood took over, and the painting definitely took on an aura that was true.

Tones are worked on.

Tones are worked on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And detail was added that I knew would actually be part of a underpainting.  This is the tricky part.

Bolder strokes are added that I want to show through the haze.

Bolder strokes are added that I want to show through the haze.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is always quite scary to then brush over the image to create a mood, and decide how much to cover in the haze and where to remove the overlay of color.  This is why I love oils.  They are forgiving in the layering process.  If it doesn’t work out, you can always add more layers.

A soft layer of gold is added overall except over the figures.

A soft layer of gold is added overall except over the figures.

Finally, detail is added, some of the haze is gently removed, and I have accomplished the mood I originally hoped for.

The final canvas.

The final canvas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The friends are lost in their own world but encased in the glow of the autumn leaves. The perfect day  with friends.

 

 

Twee

24 Sunday Feb 2013

Posted by pat in Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Tags

Downton Abbey, language, movies, twee

Twee. Such a sweet word.  And that is just what it means.  According to Webster…

Chiefly British: affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, cute, or quaint. Example: The movie was a bit twee for my taste.

A London shop window during jubilee. Twee? I think so.  Photo by me.

A London shop window during jubilee. Twee? I think so. Photo by me.

The first known use was in 1905, and the origin is thought to be the baby-talk alteration of sweet.

Now, some of my British friends have referred to Downton Abbey as twee. And I was taken aback when looking at descriptions of one of my favorite British sit-coms, As Time Goes By to see that it was suggested it might be a bit “twee”.

A cottage in Castle Combe that is lovingly, purposefully "twee". Photo by me

A cottage in Castle Combe that is lovingly, purposefully “twee”. Photo by me

Of course, we American are just suckers for twee. That is what many of us expect to see when we travel to England, or go to a British film. Think of the movie The Holiday, or Sense and Sensibility.

It makes me think I might like a world that is just a bit twee, although, like too much chocolate, you can sometimes have too much of a good thing.

The Studio Wall

12 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by pat in Art, paintings, sketching, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

art studio, branches, photography, trees, Versailles

The wall in my studio is always plastered with images…sometimes mine, sometimes another artist’s, sometimes just a photo or image I have sketched and am thinking of working from.

I love The Wall…it is one of the most wonderful things of having a room that is strictly an art studio, and not a corner of the living room or bedroom or a dining table as in years past.

Trees at Versailles near Paris. Photo and photos by me

Trees at Versailles near Paris. Photo and photos by me

Sometimes it will stay the same for weeks. I may trade one or two images out here and there…

Image 1

 

It all depends what I am working on and if I am nearing the completion of a painting and beginning to contemplate new works.

The Louvre in Paris. MOMA's dining room and the courtyard in front of the Public Library in New York City. All photos by me

The Louvre in Paris, MOMA’s dining room and the courtyard in front of the Public Library in New York City. All photos by me.

If I am working on a particular piece I may put up other artists’ works that somehow relate in tone or feeling or content–just to see what others have done.  Sometimes it will influence me but more often than not it just keeps me strong and focused and original with my own work.

Image 10

 

I can sit and stare at the wall many times during my work day.

Central Park in New York...two very different images from the same afternoon.

Central Park in New York…two very different images from the same afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then there is the space near my desk with images of friends’ work and more personal images, just because I love them.

At my desk, cards and photos of friends and fellow creatives...

At my desk, cards and photos of friends and fellow creatives…

 

 

Everyone should have a wall. It’s what you look at before you squeeze the first bit of paint on to the palette.

Image

 

 

 

City Parks: London, Paris & New York

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, England, entertainment, Gardens, London, paintings, sketching, Travel, Uncategorized

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Central Park, New York City, Paris, St James's, The Tuileries

I have always loved large cities.  And traveling has just increased that love and fascination. What is it about these magnificent cities that lure me back again and again?

A Paris street. Photo by me

A Paris street. Photo by me

I think there is something incredibly special about spending a day in a major city–visiting museums,

IMG_6930

maybe a movie or a show…

Times Square in New York City, featuring a movie, a play or just people watching. Photo by me.

Times Square in New York City, featuring a movie, a play or just people watching. Photo by me.

or a bit of leisurely window shopping…

 

Window shopping in Paris. Photo by me.

Window shopping in Paris. Photo by me.

A shop windows near St. James Palace in London, photo by me

A shop windows near St. James’s Palace in London, photo by me.

And then when you have just about had enough (but never quite), and your feet cannot carry you another block, you find a corner of a cozy park to settle down in with a cup of coffee or a cold drink.

A quiet corner of Central Park, NYC, in summer. Photo by me.

Central Park in summer, with a jazz musician playing under the bridge. Photo by me.

I think it is part of what makes a great city, well, great.  A green oasis in the center of the bustle and noise. They have their own excitement and energy…

Central Park

Central Park in summer, photo by me.

But also moments of peace and tranquility.

Sailing boats in Central Park

Sailing boats in Central Park, NYC. Photo by me.

Of course, I grew up near New York City on Long Island, and spent many happy hours in Central Park. And in the decades I worked in Washington, DC as a graphic designer, I also had a small studio apartment in NYC right across the street from Central Park.  I could walk out the door of the building, cross the heavy traffic of Central Park West and I was in that very special place…a city park.

One of Central Parks Broad Avenues. Photo by me

One of Central Park’s Broad Avenues. Photo by me

I have many images of Central Park that I have been looking at and sketching as part of the “Cities” series of paintings I have been working on this year. One of the things I have noticed working on this series is how similar the great parks are.  Although each region has its own personality, the parks also have common elements–the broad walking paths, gorgeous ancient trees, people playing games…socializing…walking, and cool swaths of rolling lawn.  And of course a water feature.

St. James Park, London. Photo by me.

St. James Park, London. Photo by me.

In London, I think my favorite park is St. James’s Park.

The London Park's incredible flowers.  Is it the abundance of rain? Photo by me.

The London park’s incredible flowers. Is it the abundance of rain? Photo by me.

Right down the street from Buckingham Palace you can always find a garden or a group of ducks on the edge of the lake that help to rejuvenate you.

IMG_5850

One of St. James’s noisiest residents. Photo by me.

Kensington Gardens, a Royal Park, is one of my new favorites in London, just between Hyde Park and Kensington Palace.  On my last trip to London in November it was golden, and I managed to take lots of pictures.

Kensington Park, London. Photo by me.

Kensington Park, London. Photo by me.

Luckily a painting was born. I look at this, and see any of the parks I have visited in large cities. This is just the beginning, but although it is Kensington, it could be a scene in New York or Paris.

Image

The beginning of a painting of Kensington Park. Oil sketch by me

The three women are connecting with each other as they stroll through the lanes.  You can hear children playing the background, maybe a dog barking, but mostly it is a quiet space where the women stroll in their own special world. The beauty of parks in a big city is it offers the residents a place to come together before retreating back to their small, or large, living spaces behind locked doors.

It reminds me of the painting I did of Bath, England a few years ago.  The two women are alone under the trees walking and talking.

IMG_1584

“The Voyeur”, painting by me.

In Paris, my favorite park is definitely, without a doubt, the Tuileries. It is a spectacular park. And is so “Parisian”.

The Tuileries in Paris. Photo by me.

The Tuileries in Paris. Photo by me.

All the elements of the other parks are there. The social games…

IMG_4947My version of the scene…

Image 6

The water feature…

The edge of the Tuileries with the Louvre in the background. Photo by me.

The edge of the Tuileries with the Louvre in the background. Photo by me.

The grand trees and broad avenues …

A lovely road through the park. Photo by me.

A lovely road through the park. Photo by me.

In Paris, everything is so neatly trimmed unlike the wild abandon of the English parks…

Kensington's ducks being fed. Photo by me.

Kensington’s ducks being fed. Photo by me.

Or the naturally sculpted woods of Central Park…

Central Park's rolling lawns. Photo by me.

Central Park’s rolling lawns. Photo by me.

But each has its own special magic. I can’t imagine if I really had to pick a favorite, which it would be.

Good night, dear cities.  Sleep well. Your parks will wake up early in the morning.

IMG_4491

Paris from my hotel window. Just beyond the rooftops, is The Tuileries. Photo by me.

Jane Austen and Bath

04 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by pat in Bath, England, History, Travel

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Tags

Jane Austen, literature, Pride and Prejudice

Last week marked the 200th anniversary of the first publication of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Two centuries later, it is still going strong.

Bath, England--home to Jane Austin two centuries ago. Photo by me

Bath, England–home to Jane Austin two centuries ago. Photo by me

Attached is an excellent story about Jane and Bath, England, and the celebration.

(And for information about our art workshop in Bath in September, click the word “workshop” at the top of this page.)

Taxi, take two!

01 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, paintings, sketching, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

MOMA, New York City, taxi

In early 2011, I did a small painting that is still one of my personal favorites…”NYC:Taxi (winter)”.  The small 16″ x 12″ painting evoked the classic New York City street scene in winter, which I viewed from the window of The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). The woman I saw from my perch actually had the hat on that matched the color of the taxi she was trying to hail.

NYC:Taxi (winter), painting by me

NYC:Taxi (winter), painting by me

When I returned to New York City this past summer, of course I went over to MOMA.  And there I looked out the same window, and saw the same street scene in a totally different light.

From the window of MOMA. Photo by me

From the window of MOMA. Photo by me

I began to sketch from the photos with the winter painting in mind.  I wanted this small painting to echo the first.

The photo is referenced but the composition changed slightly.

The photo is referenced but the composition changed slightly.

The isolation of the small figure hailing the taxi is still there as in the first painting, but the surroundings have changed with the season.

The taxi is centered.

The taxi is centered.

The middle of the work, where decisions about color and lightness are made.  I can go back and forth for days deciding on contrast, brightness and emphasis.

Image 2

 

And finally, it is complete.

Image 5

NYC: Taxi (summer)

It has been a journey, but I love the story these two paintings tell.

Image 3

My favorite spot, at the easel in my studio. photo by me.

Click on “workshop” at the top of the page for information on the September destination creativity workshop in Bath, England.

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